Abstract
Undersowing a cereal crop can reduce nitrogen (N) leaching and increase available N for the successive crop. An undersown crop can also compete with the main crop. Seventeen plant species were undersown in spring barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) to study their suitability regarding establishment, biomass production, competition with the main crop and effects on soil mineral N. Three different seeding rates were evaluated. Italian ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum Lam.) decreased nitrate nitrogen (NO 3-N) content in late autumn and timothy ( Phleum pratense L.) in the succeeding spring. A mixture was optimal to reduce N leaching. Italian ryegrass is a very competitive species that should be undersown at moderate seeding rates to avoid large yield reduction in the main crop. Black medic ( Medicago lupulina L.) slightly increased N leaching risk, but red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) and white clover ( Trifolium repens L.) did not increase soil NO 3-N content. As clovers did not compete strongly with the main crop, fairly high seeding rates can be used to maximise N fixation to benefit the successive crop.
Published Version
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